Habster:
It's finally official. Niagara IceDogs Media Relations Officer, Brianne Whitty has released the worst kept secret in the CHL.
There were reports that the IceDogs were pushing hard to bring Simila over to North America as they had his rights.
Here's hoping that Petteri Simila will develop more steadily than another Canadiens goaltending giant by the name of Jason Missiaen who hasn't exactly flourished playing for the Peterborough Petes last season (3.81 GAA and Save % of .904 in 38 games).
Granted, the Petes were the fifth worst defensive team in the OHL with a very young defensive corp so maybe Missiaen's poor stats are a bit deceiving at first glance.
Here's the new release:
The Niagara IceDogs are pleased to announce that they have signed goaltender Petteri Simila to an OHL standard contract.
Simila was selected by the Dogs in the first round, 21st overall, in the CHL Import Draft conducted earlier this summer. The 6'6", 189 lb native of Oulu, Finland was a member of the Karpat Jr. team of the Finnish Elite League during the 2008-09 season.
Simila was also selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round, 211th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
"We are excited to have Petteri join our team. After meeting him in Montreal I knew that his skill level and ability would be a great addition to our club", says IceDogs GM Dave Brown.
It is expected that Petteri will get to St.Catharines sometime mid-August. This way he will be able to get acclimatized to the new environment before training camp and the season begin. He will train together with local players such as Alex Friesen, Johnson Andrews, Marco Insam and the Hamilton brothers at White Oaks to get ready for Training Camp that begins on August 25th.
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